The Programs Zone
NSBEpreneur: Expanding the Pipeline
By Whitney B. Gaskins, NSBE National Business Diversity Chair
 |
|
Shane and Shawn Ward
|
In a recent survey, more than 70 percent of NSBE members expressed interest in one day opening a business. This number has steadily increased over the last few years, as the downturn in the economy has changed the way many members view their futures. Some stated they wanted to launch a side business while continuing to work in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) arena. Others presented their visions of launching the next Google or IBM. Overall, the number of members who wanted to launch a technical business was nearly equal to the number interested in starting a nontechnical business. The survey responses helped validate the work NSBE has already done to develop a quality entrepreneurship program.
In January 2010, after two years of pilot programming, the National Executive Board approved NSBEpreneur as an official NSBE program. The Business Diversity Committee — which consists of the committee chair, Whitney B. Gaskins, the Alumni entrepreneurship chair, Johnnie E. Tangle, and other contributors — has been working diligently to develop a program to meet the needs of the NSBE membership.
“For years, NSBE members have expressed a growing interest in entrepreneurship as a career path,” says NSBE National Chair Emeritus Stacyann P. Russell. “We have done sporadic programming at our conferences that focuses on financial management and entrepreneurship. The Business Diversity Committee has been around for nearly 20 years to address not only the development of NSBE member-owned businesses but the support of these businesses as well. NSBEpreneur is the first true, concerted effort to create, brand and track a program that develops a new generation of technology entrepreneurs. The end of the NSBE pipeline is not (limited) to getting members into Corporate America as workers. Some of our members want to work in Corporate America as owners.”
The Committee has focused on several initiatives for the year, culminating at the 2011 Annual Convention.
Program Highlights
The NSBEpreneur Training Institute offers beginning- and advanced-level skills to aspiring entrepreneurs, with a curriculum ranging from developing business plans to securing minority certifications. In October, the program launched with a series of bimonthly webinars, including a special two-part series on financial management facilitated by Ryan Mack. Mack is a regular contributor to CNN, the Huffington Post and other publications, including Tavis Smiley’s “The Covenant.” He plans to release his first book, “Living in the Village,” in early 2011. The book will teach financial literacy and showcase examples of individuals who have utilized financial literacy to empower their communities. His NSBE seminar taught basic fiscal management tips, as well as secrets of funding a new business with venture capital.
The Committee will kick off 2011 with seminars from Shane and Shawn Ward, the founders of Shane and Shawn Shoes (www.shaneandshawn.com). Shane, who is an industrial design major, and Shawn, a former NSBE member who majored in mechanical engineering, have been featured on Access Hollywood, MTV’s Made, The Tyra Banks Show, in Black Enterprise magazine and in various other media outlets. The twin brothers recently launched Boardroom Rockstars (www.boardroomrockstars.com), a business development and brand consulting firm.
Other scheduled presenters include former NSBE National Chairs Damaune Y. Journey (a Harvard M.B.A.) and Delano M. White, author of “Diary of a Mad Businessman: A Layman’s Guide to Starting a Business from the Ground Up,” and past NSBE National Executive Board member Michael Muse, president of Muse Recordings. The Small Business Association and the National Minority Supplier Development Council will also lead workshops. Attendees of the 2011 Annual Convention will have the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship through a specialized workshop track that will extend through the weekend in St. Louis.
The Annual Convention will also feature the Elevator Pitch and Business Plan Competitions, now in their third year. The Elevator Pitch Competition will be open for all aspiring business owners. The Business Plan Competition will focus specifically on technology businesses. A panel of special guest judges will be on hand to give the participants feedback and advice on their ventures.
Long-Term Goals
The Business Diversity Committee is also developing plans for beyond 2011. One objective is to develop the NSBEpreneur Training Institute into a full business incubator program. The Committee is creating a five-year strategic plan for the NSBEpreneur program that will focus on our organization’s spending patterns and present strategies to use NSBE’s dollars most effectively. A planned Supplier Diversity Initiative will also create opportunities for NSBE-grown businesses to work directly with our Board of Corporate Affiliates to secure contract opportunities.
Cletus A. Phoenix, owner of an Ohio-based, minority-certified enterprise, Phoenix Construction, weighed in:
“The Supplier Diversity Initiative is huge. There are millions, maybe billions of dollars specifically earmarked for minority-owned businesses that go unspent because the big companies and governments are unable to find companies capable of handling them. Most of these contracts start at six figures; a good portion are seven figures. If a community organization like NSBE can develop a program that produces results, it’s difficult to imagine the potential return.”
NSBE prides itself on providing next-generation leaders for the companies, government agencies and academic institutions that support us. We are often referred to as the go-to outlet for finding technical talent. By 2015, the Business Diversity Committee hopes to position NSBE to become the premier outlet for technical entrepreneurs. Although it’s been nearly 20 years in the making, it’s a development that our members and other stakeholders clearly welcome.
For more information about the NSBEpreneur program, visit www.nsbe.org, or contact the National Business Diversity Committee chair, Whitney B. Gaskins, at nebbusiness@nsbe.org.
For full stories, subscribe to NSBE Magazine by sending $20 for a one-year subscription to:
NSBE Circulation
205 Daingerfield Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22314.